What’s happening where you live...

advised that he would be moving on to a new role in the coming months. This means that Downswood and Otham will be getting a new PCSO: Ed Money. Timon said he had enjoyed working with the local parish councils and groups and wished all involved the best for the future. PCSO Money will be in contact in due course. County Cllr Cooke has obtained a quotation of £4,800 for an anti-skid surface in Mallards Way. This would have to be funded by the PC and would take approximately two months to arrange. It was agreed to monitor the situation and consider the proposal for next year’s budget. Helen Whately MP and Cllr Cooke were speaking to BT about the few houses in the parish that cannot receive high speed broadband. It will be a difficult problem to resolve but they were doing what they could. Damage had been caused to the outer kerbing of Mallards roundabout. Cllr Weeks to email picture to Cllr Cooke to allow him to request repairs when pot holes were filled. He would also speak to the engineers to see if the road could be widened. New planning applications: 16/503665/FULL 85 Murrain Drive, two storey extension to side and rear. 16/503995/FULL 16 Cotswold Gardens, demolition of side garage and formation of double-storey side extension to create integral garage and utility/cloak room; removal of rear conservatory and formation of single-storey pitched roof rear extension; enlargement of vehicular hardstanding to front elevation. Both of these applications were of concern due to the density of the proposals. 16/503818/FULL 20 Reinden Grove, erection of rear dormer and conversion of roofspace to form a bedroom with en-suite accommodation. No comment. Any answers: A quiz will take place at St Nicholas Church on Wednesday, July 13 at 7.30pm. Take your own nibbles and drinks. For details phone 01622 737684 or 739129. Messy fun: The next Messy Church at St Nicholas Church will take place on Monday, July 11 at 3.30pm. All children with their parents/ carers welcome. Craftwork, a story and songs followed by a tea. For details phone 01622 861382. Evening outing: The local group of the RSPB will go on an evening trip to Hemsted Forest on Saturday July 9. For further details phone Simon on 07783 354337. Party for everyone: A tea party will take place at St Nicholas Church on Thursday, July 21 at 3pm. Everyone invited. For information or if a lift is needed phone Joan Palmer on 01622 202239. Sale amount: The plant sale at St Nicholas Church in May raised £805. Many thanks to everyone who contributed towards this sale. Concert: A concert of baroque music by Bach, Boismortier, Caldara, Corrette, Teleman and Vivaldi will take place at St Nicholas Church on Sunday, July 10 at 3pm. Heledd Francis Wright (flute), Jonathan Chapter (cello) and Trevor Brearley (harpsichord) will perform. Entry free. Retiring collection for the benefit of St Nicholas Church. Correspondent: Maureen Jopson, 68 Stockett Lane, Coxheath, ME17 4PY Tel: 01622 746086 joplot8@ hotmail.co.uk Forthcoming event: There is to be a one-off auction in the old school hall on Thursday, July 21. You are invited to go along as both buyer and seller (10 per cent commission will be charged in each case). Items for sale will need to be dropped off during the morning of Wednesday July 20, and there will be a twohour preview on the morning of the auction. Phone for information to Mandy on 07703 525138, Gary on 07985 377585 or email to amandashoward@hotmail.com or www. oldschoolhall.co.uk PARISH COUNCIL: PCSO Megan Day has replaced Matthew Judges and, at the recent parish council meeting, she reported that there had been three reported crimes; a theft by finding of garden tools from Station Hill, a burglary other than dwelling (tools) from Wilsons Lane, and a burglary other than dwelling from Stockett Lane. The car park attendant had started work and would ensure that the gates of the village car park in Vicarage Lane were locked every night. Garden competition: The judging took place on June 8 and the results are: Area 1: 1) Helena, Priory Close; 2) Sebring, Priory Close; 3) 4 Court Lodge Farm Oast (East Wing), Lower Road. Area 2: 1) 5 Amherst Villas, Gallants Lane; 2) Follys End, Heath Road; 3) North Folly Farm, North Folly Road. Area 3: 1) Joint. 13 Vicarage Lane and 12 Vicarage Lane; 3) Tall Pines, Wilsons Lane. Area 4: 1) Avril, Forge Lane; 2) Shires Cottage, Forge Lane. 3) Walnut Tree pub Garden, Forge Lane. Area 5: 1) Horseshoes Cottage, Dean Street; 2) Kyalami, Workhouse Lane; 3) 8 Fairhurst Drive. WI: The next meeting is on Wednesday July 13 in the WI hall, Forge Lane at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Ian Porter will give a talk about The Real Downton Abbey. New members are welcome and if you would like information, phone Diane Scott on 01622 814476. Evergreens: Evergreens is open to all retired people in East and West Farleigh who meet in the WI hall, Forge Lane on the second Tuesday of the month, from 2.30-4.30pm. There is, usually, a speaker or Correspondent: Mike Brine Tel: 01732 845825 mbriney.yoda@ hotmail.com If you have an item concerning East Sutton, please contact the correspondent above. Correspondent: Fran Smith, 14 Pitt Road, Maidstone, ME16 8PA Mob: 07791 650955 Tel: 01622 720623 fransmith@ talktalk.net Wildlife group: This month’s activities include a work day on Saturday, July 9 from 10am-noon and a nature spotting event for butterflies, bumblebees, grasshoppers and crickets on Saturday, July 16 at 2pm. Meet at the Roseholme entrance. Details on the website: www.fantwildlifegroup.org.uk Community action group: Westborough Community Action Group meets at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Tonbridge Road at 2pm on Thursday, July 14. The group provides an opportunity for residents to discuss issues with council, police and housing association representatives. Inquiries to Malcolm Coates on: 01622 725606, email: malcolmcoates@freeola.net School project help: A reminder that discussions between the Upper Fant Community Group (UFCG) and the head teacher of St Michael’s Junior School identified areas where local people could give help and support. In return, the school will design a logo for UFCG, promote the group’s activities in its newsletter and allow use its hall for events. If you could support this outreach into the community, or would like information contact Alex Turner Correspondent: Joan Drury, Weirton Villa, Headcorn Road, Grafty Green, ME17 2AP Tel: 01622 853766 jdrury23@ btinternet.com Parish council: The council meeting due to be held on Monday July 4 has been postponed to Monday July 11 at 7.30pm in Grafty Green Village Hall. Dazzling drama: Clever scenery transformed Grafty Green Village Hall into a jungle a week ago. Members of Gail Kelly’s drama class, Dazzle, were performing Kipling’s Jungle Book. In addition to playing the familiar characters, Mowgli et al, members of the company doubled up and became the other inhabitants of the jungle. Colonel Hathi and the elephant patrol, wolves, wolf cubs, monkeys, the snake, vultures all entered on cue having re-organised the costume of their previous character. It was an enjoyable show with ingenious staging. Congratulations to Gail and her 12 actors for an excellent performance. We look forward to the Christmas show. Busy Boughton Malherbe: The opening afternoon of cream teas was blessed with good weather. There will be another opportunity to indulge in the grounds of St Nicholas church on Sunday, July 10 from 2pm. At 6.30pm, the church will revert to its traditional use for choral evensong. Prayer Time: There will be a prayer meeting on Tuesday, July 12 at 9.30am in All Saints church, Ulcombe. Coffee and cakes: The monthly coffee morning will be held in Grafty Green Village Hall on Wednesday, July 13 at 10.30am. Go along to enjoy home made cakes, drink tea